BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from

MCAST-BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from
October 2014 new intake)
Document Title
Document Number
080
Document Revision
SECTION A : GENERAL INFORMATION
1
Document category
2
Document approver
3
Minimum list of document users
to be notified upon release of
document update
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B
Date Issued
24/10/14
Rules and regulations
COI
All Academic Staff and All Students
Document change history
Document Change
A
Date released
Tracking Number
B
Page 1 of 9
Change originator
055/2014
26/09/14
Dalmas Pierre
Change history (Section/change details)
New procedure
Document Change
Date released
Change originator
Tracking Number
056/2014
23/10/14
Dalmas Pierre
Change history (Section/change details)
Added paragraph 3.3, paragraph 5, Section B and Appendix 3.
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Document Title
Document Number
MCAST-BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from
October 2014 new intake)
080
Document Revision
B
Date Issued
Page 2 of 9
24/10/14
1. PUPROSE.
The purpose of this document is to explain the new assessment rules that have been introduced for the
internal assessment of units.
2. SCOPE
The new rules apply ONLY to all new intake MCAST-BTEC MQF Level 4 programmes commencing
during the academic year 2014/15. These will not apply retrospectively to learners who are already partway through their course prior to the October 2014 intake.
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1)
A resubmission is the learner completing more work (Pass, Merit and Distinction) for the
first/same assignment and presenting it for a second assessment. The same (original)
assignment is used.
3.2)
A retake is a new task or assignment targeted only to the pass criteria which are not achieved in
the original assignment.
3.3)
A Re-sit is the learner completing a new task or assignment under time constrained conditions. The new
task or assignment is targeted at the Pass, Merit and Distinction criteria which are not achieved in the original
TCA.
4. PROVIDING FEEDBACK TO LEARNERS
The tutor must decide when the learner is fully prepared to undertake the assessment. Once learners
are working on assignments which will be submitted for assessment, they must work independently to
produce and prepare evidence for assessment.
Before starting an assessment, the tutor must ensure that each learner understands the:
a. assessment requirements;
b. nature of the evidence they need to produce;
c. importance of time management and meeting deadlines.
Once the learner begins work for the assessment, the tutor must not:
a. provide specific assessment feedback on the evidence produced by the learner before it is
submitted for assessment
b. confirm achievement of specific assessment criteria until the assessment stage.
Refer to Appendix 1 for the Feedback Stages and examples of the kind of feedback that can be given
during teaching and learning, and assessment.
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Document Title
MCAST-BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from
October 2014 new intake)
Document Number
080
B
Document Revision
Page 3 of 9
Date Issued
24/10/14
5. ABSTRACT OF ASSESSMENT CHANGES
The Table below provides a quick reference guide to the changes that apply only to all new intake
MCAST-BTEC MQF Level 4 programmes commencing during the academic year 2014/15.
1st Assessment Stage
All types of Assessments
(excluding TCA)
Time Constrained Assessments
(Only)
1st Submission
1st Sit
No
Tutorials allowed
1. Timeliness of submission
Conditions to be met to
2. Authentic work
proceed to 2nd assesment 3. Learner capable of providing
stage
improve evidence without further
guidance
2nd Assessment Stage
Resubmission (PMD) of same brief
Learner capable of providing
improve evidence without further
guidance
Resit (PMD) using new tasks
Conditions to be met to
Circumstances are exceptional,
proceed to 3rd assessment
necessary, appropriate and fair
stage
3rd Assessment Stage
Retake (P only) using new tasks
The Table above has to be interpreted in conjunction with the explanation and details of the changes to
the rules for Assessments and TCAs as provided in Section A and Section B below respectively.
SECTION A: ALL ASSESSMENTS (Excluding Time Constrained Assessments)
6. SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE
Only one submission is allowed for each assignment. The assessor must formally record the
assessment result and confirm the achievement of specific assessment criteria.
Each learner must submit:
a. an assignment for assessment which consists of evidence towards the targeted assessment
criteria;
b. a signed-and-dated declaration of authenticity with each assignment which confirms they have
produced the evidence themselves.
The assessor must:
a. formally record and confirm the achievement of specific assessment criteria;
b. complete a confirmation that the evidence they have assessed is authentic and is the learner’s
own work.
The assessor must not provide feedback or guidance on how to improve the evidence to achieve
higher grades.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
MCAST Controlled and approved document
Unauthorised copying and communication strictly prohibited
Document Title
MCAST-BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from
October 2014 new intake)
Document Number
080
B
Document Revision
Date Issued
Page 4 of 9
24/10/14
Refer also to Appendix 2 for the process flow diagram.
7. RESUBMISSION
7.1) Opportunities for resubmission
Because every assignment contributes to the final qualification grade, it may be appropriate for the
Lead Internal Verifier to authorise one opportunity for a learner to resubmit evidence to meet
assessment criteria targeted by an assignment.
A resubmission is the learner completing more work (Pass, Merit and Distinction) for the first/same
assignment and presenting it for a second assessment. The same (original) assignment is used.
The Lead Internal Verifier can only authorise a resubmission if all of the following conditions
are met:
a) the learner has met initial deadlines set in the assignment, or has met an agreed deadline
extension;
b) the tutor judges that the learner will be able to provide improved evidence without further
guidance;
c) the assessor has authenticated the evidence submitted for assessment and the evidence is
accompanied by a signed- and-dated declaration of authenticity by the learner.
If a learner has not met the conditions listed above, the Lead Internal Verifier must not authorise a
resubmission.
7.2) Procedure for resubmission
If the Lead Internal Verifier does authorise a resubmission, it must be:
a) recorded on the assessment form;
b) given a deadline for resubmission that falls within 10 working days of the release of the results.
The set deadline must be within term time and in the same academic year as the original
submission;
c) undertaken by the learner with no further guidance.
Evidence of resubmitted work is required and includes:
a) evidence of Lead Internal Verifier authorisation, signed and dated, with the resubmission
deadline clearly stated;
b) the initial assessment record;
c) the resubmitted learner evidence, accompanied by a signed-and-dated declaration of
authenticity by the learner;
d) the resubmission assessment record, detailing the additional learner evidence submitted and
showing any related changes to the assessment decisions;
e) confirmation from the assessor that the resubmitted evidence is authentic and is the learner’s
own work.
Refer also to Appendix 2 for the process flow diagram.
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Unauthorised copying and communication strictly prohibited
Document Title
MCAST-BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from
October 2014 new intake)
Document Number
080
B
Document Revision
Date Issued
Page 5 of 9
24/10/14
8. RETAKES
8.1 Conditions for retaking a new assignment
Learners need to achieve every pass criterion in order to successfully achieve the qualification.
If a learner has met all of the conditions listed in paragraph 7.1 ‘Opportunities for resubmission’ but
still not achieved the targeted pass criteria following resubmission of an assignment, the Lead
Internal Verifier may authorise one retake opportunity to meet the required pass criteria.
A retake is a new task or assignment targeted only to the pass criteria which are not achieved in the
original assignment.
The Lead Internal Verifier must only authorise a retake in exceptional circumstances where they
believe it is necessary, appropriate and fair to do so.
The key words, as interpreted below, are;



Necessary
Appropriate
Fair
For any learner who has not achieved the Pass criteria it is definitely necessary so that they can
potentially achieve the whole qualification.
Whether it is appropriate may depend on whether the learner has had to retake all of the units to
date. If they have then it may be more appropriate for them to move to a smaller sized qualification.
The fairness of the decision needs to be tested by taking an overview of the group's performance
and the performance of the individual. It is a matter of taking an overview of the situation which will
be different for every occasion but fairness means making sure that the quality of the judgment
making is free from discrimination.
The retake must be a new task or assignment targeted only to the pass criteria which were not
achieved in the original assignment.
The assessor cannot award a merit or distinction grade for a retake.
The assessor must agree and record a clear deadline before the learner starts a retake.
The number of days to be allowed for the retake to be submitted is established at the discretion of
the assessor.
The learner and the assessor must sign declarations of authentication as they both did for the
previous submissions.
The learner will not be allowed any further resubmissions or retakes.
Standards Verifiers will require evidence of any retakes in sampling.
Refer also to Appendix 2 for the process flow diagram.
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MCAST Controlled and approved document
Unauthorised copying and communication strictly prohibited
Document Title
MCAST-BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from
October 2014 new intake)
Document Number
080
B
Document Revision
Date Issued
Page 6 of 9
24/10/14
SECTION B: TIME CONSTRAINED ASSESSMENTS
9. FIRST SIT OF TCA
Only one sit of a Time Constrained Assessment (TCA) is normally allowed for each assignment. The
assessor must formally record the assessment result and confirm the achievement of specific
assessment criteria.
The assessor must not provide feedback or guidance on how to improve the evidence to achieve
higher grades.
Refer also to Appendix 3 for the process flow diagram.
10. RE-SIT OF TIME CONSTRAINED ASSESSMENT (TCA)
10.1 Opportunities for re-sit of TCA
Because every assignment contributes to the final qualification grade, it may be appropriate for the
Lead Internal Verifier to authorise one opportunity for a learner to re-sit assessment criteria targeted
by a TCA.
A Re-sit is the learner completing a new task or assignment under time constrained conditions. The
new task or assignment is targeted at the Pass, Merit and Distinction criteria which are not achieved
in the original TCA. However, tutorials that guide the learners on how to improve their performance
in the TCA are NOT allowed. TCA has to be taken within 10 working days of the release of the
results.
The Lead Internal Verifier can only authorise a re-sit of a TCA if the tutor judges that the learner will
be able to provide improved evidence without further guidance.
If a learner does not meet the condition listed above, the Lead Internal Verifier must not authorise a
re-sit.
10.2 Procedure for resubmission
If the Lead Internal Verifier does authorise a re-sit, it must be:
a) recorded on the assessment form;
b) held within 10 working days of the release of the results. The set deadline must be within term
time and in the same academic year as the original submission;
c) undertaken by the learner with no further guidance.
Evidence of re-sit work is required and includes:
a) evidence of Lead Internal Verifier authorisation, signed and dated, with the re-sit deadline clearly
stated;
b) the initial assessment record;
c) the re-sit learner evidence;
d) the re-sit assessment record, detailing the additional learner evidence submitted and showing
any related changes to the assessment decisions;
Refer also to Appendix 3 for the process flow diagram.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
MCAST Controlled and approved document
Unauthorised copying and communication strictly prohibited
Document Title
Document Number
MCAST-BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from
October 2014 new intake)
080
B
Document Revision
Date Issued
Page 7 of 9
24/10/14
APPENDIX 1 : FEEDBACK STAGES
This Appendix provides the Feedback Stages and examples of the kind of feedback that can be given
during teaching and learning, and assessment.
1. Teaching and learning
2. During assessment
3. Following assessment
During teaching and learning, the
tutor is using best professional
judgment about the nature,
quantity or level of feedback.
While learners are working on an
assessment, the tutor can continue
to give general feedback and
support, particularly around the
development of knowledge,
understanding and skills.
On the assessment record, the
assessor should give clear
feedback on:
The assessment rules do not
cover formative feedback – only
feedback during and
following assessment.
 the criteria the learner
achieved (explaining the
assessors decisions)
 the criteria not achieved (and
why)
although the assessor should
not provide a list of instructions
on how to get a higher grade.
Feedback could include, for
example:
Feedback could include, for
example:
Feedback could include, for
example:
 Identify areas for learner
progression, including stretch
and challenge.
 Guidance on how to approach
the knowledge and skills
requirements.
 Clear explanation of how
assessment works and what
learners need to do to achieve
a Pass, Merit or Distinction.
 Guidance on appropriate
behaviour and approach,
confirmation of deadlines etc.
 Which assessment criteria
the learner has achieved
and what the learner has
done well.
 Setting of “dry run” or “mock”
tasks and scenarios to help
learners understand what level
they have reached and prepare
for assessment.
 Feedback on how to improve
knowledge, skills,
understanding, behaviour,
approach, grammar etc.
 Confirmation of which criteria
the assessor is targeting and
clarification of what the
assignment brief requires.
 Which assessment criteria
the learner has not achieved
and what was missing.
 Information or guidance
available to the learner they
could have drawn on (e.g.
class notes; handouts;
resources in assignment
brief etc)
 General behaviour and
conduct, approach,
grammar etc.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
MCAST Controlled and approved document
Unauthorised copying and communication strictly prohibited
Document Title
Document Number
MCAST-BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from
October 2014 new intake)
080
Document Revision
B
Date Issued
Page 8 of 9
24/10/14
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
MCAST Controlled and approved document
Unauthorised copying and communication strictly prohibited
Document Title
Document Number
MCAST-BTEC LEVEL 4 ASSESSMENT RULES (Effective from
October 2014 new intake)
080
Document Revision
B
Date Issued
Page 9 of 9
24/10/14
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MCAST Controlled and approved document
Unauthorised copying and communication strictly prohibited

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